Nachos are an extremely versatile and popular dish. Whether you are making a whole meal or a smaller portion sized snack, nachos are a great choice for an individual or a group of people.
The best thing about nachos is that you can choose your toppings and add as little or as much as you want.
However, for those who want to prepare their nachos in a short amount of time, canned nacho cheese is a great way to save money and time and can help you to make your nachos within minutes if you don't have time to make homemade nachocheesesauce. Just throw on some pickled jalapenos and your nachocheesedip is ready to go.
Canned cheese is often used by professionals in restaurants and no one even notices. The taste is still delicious and you can even use it for other foods aside from nachos.
If you’re hosting a party and want to impress your friends, this is a great way to fix up some food quickly and will make a satisfying and easy dish.
So what is the best canned cheese? You want to be sure that the cheese can easily be warmed up and will spread nicely and evenly over the tortilla chips with ease for your recipe.
Making sure it has been made with quality ingredients that provide a real cheese flavor is hugely important as well. That’s why we gathered the top 9 canned cheeses on the market so you can be assured that your nachos will be the best!
Whether you’re making nachos for yourself, your family or a larger party, there are different brands suitable for everyone.
Our top choice is the Rosarita Nacho Cheese Sauce which comes in a multipack of 6 making it perfect for larger households or those who are hosting parties and wanting to serve a lot of nachos.
A popular choice for food service and restaurant businesses, this creamy sauce can be used for a variety of dishes aside from nachos. What makes this sauce a great option is that it can easily be heated in the microwave for easy serving.
The mild flavor means that you can add spice if you wish but it can be eaten as is for those who don’t like too much spice in their food.
What makes this our winner? Rosarita is a brand that has been around for 70 years serving businesses and households with quality food. Full of high quality ingredients, this sauce brings a rich, authentic taste that is guaranteed to be enjoyed by all.
Perfect for busy households, it’s quick cooking time means that you don’t have to waste time waiting for it to cook.
Pros
The mild flavor means that you can add spice if you wish
Full of high quality ingredients, this sauce brings a rich, authentic taste
Perfect for busy households thanks to its quick cooking time
Cons
The tin is not resealable for those who want to store their cheese away if it hasn’t been used
Our second recommendation is Chef Mate ¡Que Bueno! Nacho Cheese Sauce which is a thick, creamy, medium heat sauce which provides a cheddar cheese flavor and has an extra kick thanks to the chilis and jalapenos.
Chef Mate has ensured that this cheese has been cooked under pressure to avoid any scorching and boiling which also helps to prevent a metallic flavor from the tin.
The texture is perfect for spreading over the top of your chips and can be served with additional toppings according to your personal preference.
Packaged in an easy to stack, stable can which makes it perfect to store before use. Once used, simply store the rest in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. With a holding time of 8 hours when cooked, this is a perfect choice for parties.
With 0 grams trans fats per serving, this option is made with real cheddar cheese with no additional artificial flavors or colors.
Pros
Has been cooked under pressure to avoid any scorching and boiling
With a holding time of 8 hours when cooked, this is a perfect choice for parties
Made with real cheddar cheese with no additional artificial flavors or colors
Cons
Cans can arrive dented but this shouldn’t affect the quality
Our third choice is the La Preferida Nacho Cheese Sauce which is the perfect option for those who are hosting parties.
With only 70 calories per serving, this is one of the healthiest selections on this list and great for those who may be on a diet without sacrificing delicious foods.
Incredibly versatile, this creamy cheese sauce can be used as a dip or topping for your nachos and can be served with extra toppings should you want to add an extra kick with peppers.
Packaged in an eco friendly way, this cheese has been stored in a can made with BPA free lining. The ease to reheat and serve makes it hugely convenient, especially if you are hosting a party and preparing lots of food.
A great choice for restaurants as well who have to serve their food within an allotted time, this sauce is guaranteed to be a success.
Pros
With only 70 calories per serving, this is one of the healthiest selections on this list
Packaged in an eco friendly way, this cheese has been stored in a can made with BPA free lining
The ease to reheat and serve makes it hugely convenient
Our fourth selection is Member’s Mark Nacho Cheese Sauce which is ready to serve with an extended hold time making it perfect for parties.
Easy to prepare, simply heat and pour over the nachos to create a vibrant and flavorful dish that is sure to be popular among everyone. With 0g trans fat per serving, this is a healthier option for those who want to track their fat intake.
The large tin contains around 48 servings meaning that you can get a lot of sauce for other dishes as well. With a replaceable lid which makes it easy to store away and preserve whilst not in use, this cheese requires little to no fuss.
With easy prep instructions, you can increase the yield by adding around two cups of water depending on how thick or thin you want the sauce. Made from high quality ingredients, this sauce can hold up warm for up to eight hours.
With a generous shelf life to minimize wastage, you can be assured that you’ll be revisiting this sauce time and time again.
Pros
With 0g trans fat per serving, this is a healthier option for those who want to track their fat intake
The large tin contains around 48 servings meaning that you can get a lot of sauce for other dishes as well
With easy prep instructions, you can increase the yield by adding around two cups of water depending on how thick or thin you want the sauce
Our fifth recommendation is Chef-mate ¡Que Bueno! White Queso Sauce which is a creamy blend of white cheddar, chilis and jalapenos.
Great for those who want their sauce to have a kick, this sauce has been cooked under pressure to avoid any scorching when reheated and served.
Perfect as a single topping and complimentary with various meats. Packed in a stable can that is easy to stack and store, you can easily preserve any unused sauce in the refrigerator.
This option is great for those who are watching their weight as it contains 0g trans fats per serving and has been made with real cheddar cheese with no artificial flavors or colorings. Added colors have been included from natural sources to add to the aesthetic.
Pros
Perfect as a single topping and complimentary with various meats
Packed in a stable can that is easy to stack and store, you can easily preserve any unused sauce in the refrigerator
Contains 0g trans fats per serving and has been made with real cheddar cheese with no artificial flavors or colorings
Our sixth selection is FUNacho Nacho Cheese Single Serve Cups which provides 48 individual servings of 3.5 ounces.
The perfect choice for those who want to purchase separate portions, this is great for lunches or snacking and can be used as a dip or topping. As well as nachos, you can use it on a variety of foods.
Made from real cheese with no MSG, this is a cheap and cheerful option for those who want a quick and easy sauce that is highly convenient.
Perfect for those with busy lifestyles or those on a diet, the individual portions mean that you can track your food intake as well as giving you a decent amount of calcium in your diet.
Pros
Great for lunches or snacking and can be used as a dip or topping
Cheap and cheerful option for those who want a quick and easy sauce that is highly convenient
You can track your food intake as well as giving you a decent amount of calcium in your diet
Our seventh recommendation is Rico’s Gourmet Nacho Cheese Sauce which is one of the most convenient choices on the list. To prepare this sauce, simply heat it up and then pour or use as a dip. This is a runnier option than others on this list but not overly so.
A popular choice for professional chefs and restaurants due to its larger size, this is fantastic for those who may be hosting parties or events as it will last a long time and can assure that you’ll have plenty in stock.
Made from the best ingredients to ensure that the cheese has as natural flavor as possible, this sauce does contain some coloring to give it a vibrant yellow color hue.
Made from real cheese, this sauce doesn’t have too much of a spice kick so you can add chilis should you wish depending on your personal preference.
Pros
Can be heated and served within minutes
Ideal for restaurants or those who are hosting parties and events due to the large size
Our penultimate selection is Faraon’s Nacho Cheese which has been fully cooked before being packaged to assure that it does not get scorched or burned when reheated.
Ready to eat and service, this cheese has been made in the USA and is a great option for a variety of dishes as well as nachos. This is great for those who like to bulk buy or own a business as it comes in a pack of 12 meaning that you’ll have plenty in stock.
With the option to add your own spices such as jalapenos or chilis, you can really make your nachos to your own preferences.
Made with real cheese, this is the best option for those who want a thicker cheese that can be both used as a dip and a topping.
For those who want a cheese that is similar to stadium and theater nacho cheese then this is the perfect option for you. Simply reheat and pour over and it’s perfect as a snack or meal and you can enjoy it by yourself or with family and friends.
Pros
Has been fully cooked before being packaged to assure that it does not get scorched or burned when reheated
This is great for those who like to bulk buy or own a business as it comes in a pack of 12
The best option for those who want a thicker cheese that can be both used as a dip and a topping
Cons
The tins can arrive dented but this shouldn’t affect the sauce itself
Our final choice is Trenton Farms Nacho Cheese Sauce which is a spicy sauce made from 100% real cheese and contains jalapeno and green chili pieces for an extra kick.
What makes this cheese unique from competitors is that it has been cooked under pressure to prevent any scorching or boiling. This cheese has the perfect texture for serving as a topping and compliments other toppings really well.
The can is easy to stack and store away before use and if there is some left over, simply put it in the refrigerator.
What puts this on our list is that it is perfect for those who like a bit of spice with their nachos as well as other dishes such as burritos and tacos.
Perfect for single portions and larger groups, this sauce will see you through as it is sure to bring that extra flavor to your dish. Whether you’re preparing a casual meal or a party, you can use this sauce and it is sure to be a popular choice.
Pros
Been cooked under pressure to prevent any scorching or boiling
Easy to stack and store away before use
Perfect for single portions and larger groups
Cons
Not suitable for those who don’t like spicy foods
Best Canned Cheese For Nachos Buying Guide
Now you should have a better idea of what to look out for when making your decision.
However, if you’re still unsure which one really is perfect for you and want to conduct your own research then there are some things that you should look into and consider before making your final decision.
This will ensure that you’ll be happy with the results and will have the best cheese for your nachos.
Personal Preference
The first thing you will need to think about is your own personal preferences. This may seem a bit obvious, but it’s important to look for a cheese that is going to be perfect for your taste buds.
As there are some options that can be on the spicy side so if you prefer to avoid spicy foods then they probably won’t be a good option for you.
Also, deciding whether you want white or yellow cheese is another thing to look at. It’s important to think about your preferences because there’s nothing worse than investing in something that you never end up using.
This will avoid you from having cans of cheese wasting away in your pantry because you don’t like it.
Thickness
The next factor to consider is the thickness of the cheese. You want to make sure that it is thick and spreadable so it’s not too liquid and runny.
If the cheese is too runny then it’s not going to land on the nachos properly and won’t have that signature texture that you want to get from the dish.
On the other hand, you don’t want it to be so thick that it won’t spread over the nachos. You want to make sure that it is in between so it has that easiness of being layered equally over the nachos.
Not only will this look great but it is guaranteed to taste delicious. Having the perfect texture will also mean that you can use it as a dipping sauce as well. It’s all depending on how you want to serve your nachos.
If you are planning on the cheese solely working as a dip then you want to make sure that it isn’t too thick and if it is a topping then make sure it is between thick and runny.
Additional Ingredients
Another aspect is the ingredients which is something that you should pay attention to. Because it is canned cheese, a lot of companies will add a lot of unknown and artificial ingredients that don’t add anything to the overall flavor.
When looking at the ingredients, you should be able to see signature additions such as jalapeños, Mexican seasoning, pimiento, and peppers which are known to add a bit of spice to the cheese.
Since it is cheese, you should also see a dairy component with thicker cheeses containing a higher dairy content. Always check the ingredients label to ensure that there aren’t any unknown ingredients that are potentially harmful.
Size
The last thing you will need to consider is the size. You may have noticed from looking through the options is that some cans are bigger than others and some even come in multipacks so you’ll have an endless supply.
This is great because you can gage the event that you plan on having the nachos with the size of the canned cheese meaning you won’t run out or have a shortage of cheese.
If you are planning a party then make sure you buy a multipack or bulk buy so you have plenty in stock should you need it whereas if it is just for you then you can buy a single can and experiment with different cheeses to find which one is best for you.
Other Things to Make with Canned Cheese
As mentioned in the introduction to this guide, you can use canned cheese for a lot more than nachos. If you have some left over but don’t have any chips left then you may want to use the rest of the cheese on a different dish.
The great thing about canned cheese is how versatile it is and you can use it for a variety of different cuisines.
Whether you want to stick with Mexican food and use it in quesadillas and enchiladas or want to venture into Italian cuisine and make some lasagna or go classic American and add the cheese to a burger, there are endless possibilities where you can use the remaining cheese.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when looking for the best canned cheese for nachos, always think about who you are preparing the nachos for and choose the one that is going to cater for the situation.
With so many varieties available on the market, choosing one of the choices in this article is guaranteed to provide that brilliant texture and taste that you want.
Perfect Nachos: 9 of Best Canned Cheese for Nacho Night
These options are sure to be a hit. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
